| Objective: |
- Secure an internship involving biological research in the area of community ecology, animal
- behavior, or conservation biology. Desire to explore topics related to herpetology and
- mammalogy.
-
|
| Education: |
- Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI
September 1998-current Graduation: June 2002
Major: Biology. GPA: 3.7/4.0
Minor: Economics and Business.
Concentration: Environmental Studies.
-
|
| |
- Round River Conservation Studies, Utah State University, Namibia
20 September-16 December 1999
Educational program in cooperation with the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Academic credit hours
earned in courses on Conservation Biology, Natural History Methods and Application, Biological
Field Methods, Wildlife Conservation in Africa, Introduction to Ecological Modeling.
Research project: Assessing Herpetological Diversity at Cheetah View Farm,
Namibia, using Drift Fence/Pitfall Trap Arrays.
|
- Pertinent
Experience:
-
|
International Service Learning Externship, Costa Rica
20 December-30 December 2001
Assisted biologists working on a long-term investigation of the demography and nesting ecology
of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) at Playa Grande, Parque Marino Las Baulas de
Guanacaste. Helped tag and identify turtles, record nest location and turtle size, and measure
fecundity of nesting females and hatching success of eggs.
|
| |
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
20 June-30 August 2001
Full time work focused on measuring differences in hatching success arising from incubating
snapping turtle eggs, along with measuring several indicators of hatchling size. Results from my
research elucidated factors affecting embryonic development of turtles while providing useful
information about optimal conditions for incubating turtle eggs. Independent research project
and thesis: Effects of Incubation Conditions of the Development of Snapping Turtle
(Chelydra serpentia) Embryos.
|
| |
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Colorado
18 June-27 August 2000
Participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program under the guidance of
Dr. Ian Billick, Truman State University. Focus on design, analysis, and presentation of a
research project. Independent research project: Impact of the Western Thatching Ant
(Formica obscuripes) on Insect Abundance and Diversity.
|
| |
-
La Suerte Biological Field Station, Costa Rica
19 July-24 August 1999
Primate Behavior and Ecology course designed to provide academic learning though fieldwork
and coursework. Experience with map formation, research design and hypothesis testing,
preparation of data sheets, behavioral observations, primate ethograms, animal censusing, and
vegetation analysis. Independent research project: Lateralized Hand Function
in Free-Ranging Howler Monkeys (Alouatta palliata).
|
| |
-
Earthwatch/Rhinowatch, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Summer 1997
Field tasks involved data compilation, observation of rhino behavior, photography of footprints,
use of GPS navigation.
|
- Related
Experience:
|
-
Supplemental Instructor, Kalamazoo College
January 2001-2002
Paid position included attending class lectures, taking notes, and conducting two study sessions a
week. Supplemental instructor serves as a guide and resource for other students to go over the
course material for difficult classes. Led study sessions for two quarters of Physiological
Ecology and one quarter of Evolution.
|
| |
Student Research Assistant to Dr. V. James, Dir. of African Studies, Kalamazoo College
14 June-20 September 1999
Assessed African Studies higher education curriculum involving both Internet and library
research. Provided summaries of journal articles for student/faculty project: The Study of Africa
and the Disciplines at Kalamazoo College.
|
| |
-
Wildlife-In-Need Center, Oconomowoc, WI
Summers 1996, 1997
Assisted in rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, fed baby birds on 30-minute intervals,
prepared food, and cleaned cages.
|
- Undergraduate Publications:
-
|
Meik, J.M., R.M. Jeo, J.R. Mendelson III, K.E. Jenks. Effects of bush encroachment on
an assemblage of diurnal lizard species in central Namibia. Biological Conservation,
106(1) (2002) pp.29-36
Finkler, M.S., A.C. Steyermark, J.W. Lang, K. Jenks, P.R Sotherland. Geographic variation
in snapping turtle egg composition across a longitudinal transect. American Zoologist,
41(6) (2001) pp.1642
|
- Honors and
Activities:
|
Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship for Women in Science
Kalamazoo College Honors Scholarship
Kalamazoo College Dean's List
Membership in Alpha Lambda Delta
Ballet Dance 1988-present
|